Brazilian Celebrities Embrace New Lives Abroad Amid Diverse Career and Family Journeys

Profiles of seven Brazilian celebrities who have relocated abroad, detailing their personal and professional adaptations in new countries.

Entertainment

Image: estadao.com.br

Key details

  • Maria Fernanda Cândido has lived in France since 2018 due to family health and business reasons, returning to Brazil for theater work.
  • Wagner Moura resides in Los Angeles and comments on cultural differences in the U.S.
  • Gisele Bündchen has established a long-standing international modeling career while living in the U.S.
  • Luana Piovani moved to Portugal in 2019 and continues her career while raising her children abroad.

Several prominent Brazilian celebrities have chosen to relocate abroad over the past decade, motivated by family commitments, career evolution, and lifestyle changes. Among them, Maria Fernanda Cândido, who has lived in France since 2018 with her husband Petrit Spahira and their two sons, relocated due to her husband taking over his family's business amid his father's health issues. Despite the challenges adapting to life abroad, Cândido revealed in an interview with Estadão, "It was not an easy adaptation; living in Brazil is much better, but I learned to be happy in the routine." She is now returning to Brazil for a stage performance, starring in the play "Quando Despertarmos de Entre os Mortos" at Teatro Paulo Autran.

Actor Wagner Moura, known internationally for his roles in "Tropa de Elite" and "Narcos," has been residing in Los Angeles with his wife and three children. Moura has spoken openly about cultural differences, particularly regarding expressions of physical affection in the U.S. Meanwhile, iconic model Gisele Bündchen has built her internationally renowned career primarily while living in Surfside, Florida, since the early 2000s.

Luana Piovani moved with her children to Portugal in 2019, embracing Lisbon's lifestyle while maintaining an active professional presence and sharing her experiences on social media. Actress Ana Paula Arósio has lived more privately in England since 2010, significantly reducing her media appearances. Veteran actress Sônia Braga has sustained a successful international acting career over decades in the U.S., focusing largely on film roles.

In Portugal, Marcello Antony moved in 2018 for a television project and later transitioned into luxury real estate. Alice Braga, niece of Sônia Braga, has carved out an accomplished career in Hollywood, starring in notable films such as "Cidade de Deus" and "I Am Legend." These stories highlight the adaptability and global reach of Brazilian artists who balance personal lives abroad with evolving careers on international stages.

This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

Source articles (3)

  1. estadao.com.br Oct 9, 2026

    7 celebridades brasileiras que escolheram morar fora do Brasil

  2. folhape.com.br Oct 9, 2026

    Sete celebridades brasileiras que escolheram morar fora do Brasil

  3. tribunadosertao.com.br Oct 9, 2026

    Sete celebridades brasileiras que escolheram morar fora do Brasil

Source comparison

Wagner Moura's family details

Sources differ on the number of children Wagner Moura has.

estadao.com.br

"Wagner Moura... has been living in Los Angeles with his family."

folhape.com.br

"Wagner Moura... has been residing in Los Angeles with his wife and children."

tribunadosertao.com.br

"Wagner Moura... lives in Los Angeles with his wife Sandra Delgado and their three children."

Why this matters: One source states Moura has three children, while another does not specify the number, leading to confusion about his family situation.

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